How to deal with Anemia

Have you ever considered that your never-ending headache and weakness might be because you are anemic? Well, you should now.

But first, you must understand that you are not alone. 

Millions of people like you worldwide are unaware that they have some form of anemia. In this blog post, we discuss anemia, its types, different causes, symptoms, and treatment options. 

So, what is Anaemia? 

Think of the body as the renowned Eko market in Lagos, Nigeria. For sellers in the market to conduct their business smoothly, each must receive a package called oxygen. The package has to be delivered to each seller’s store using delivery bikes called the blood. 

Who drives these delivery bikes? They are dispatch riders, also known as red blood cells. But dispatch riders don’t work alone. They enlist the help of hemoglobin, which takes the oxygen from them to the sellers in their respective stores. 

Anemia occurs when there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to help disperse oxygen in the body. When this happens, fatigue becomes the norm, and other health issues arise. 

What types of Anemia exist?

• Iron-Deficiency Anemia 

As the name suggests, iron-deficiency anemia is caused by the body's lack of or a low level of iron. Iron must be present for the body to produce hemoglobin. In the absence of iron, the body becomes unable to produce hemoglobin sufficient for red blood cells. 

• Vitamin-Deficiency Anemia 

Cobalamin and folate, also known as vitamin B12 and vitamin B9, are pertinent to the development of red blood cells in the body. Vitamin-deficiency anemia is often associated with an unbalanced diet or other low-iron-related illnesses. 

• Chronic Disease Anemia

People with terminal illnesses like renal disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart failure, and others are usually the ones affected by chronic disease anemia. The disease slows down their body, disrupting the production of red blood cells. 

• Hemolytic Anemia

When a person has an autoimmune disorder, blood disease, or infection, it could make their red blood cells more volatile than normal. Hemolytic anemia then occurs because the red blood cells in the body churn more quickly than they are produced. 

• Aplastic Anemia 

Aplastic anemia is a fatal and rare condition that causes the body to not produce enough new blood cells. Similar to hemolytic anemia, autoimmune disorders, infections, and toxic chemicals are some of the common causes linked to aplastic anemia. 

What are the causes of Anemia? 

The causes of anemia vary from person to person. However, some of the most common causes of anemia are: 

• Not eating a balanced diet causes the absence of nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, vitamin B9, and vitamin E, which trigger anemia. 

• Terminal illnesses like renal disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune disorders can drastically reduce the production of red blood cells. 

• Genetic terminal conditions such as sickle cell anemia disrupt hemoglobin production and red blood cell health. 

• Situations that cause immense blood loss, like severe injury or surgery, could cause anemia. 

What are the symptoms of Anemia? 

Anemia manifests differently in people, depending on the cause and the severity. However, some of the most common symptoms are: 

• Constant fatigue and weakness

• Dizziness 

• Difficult breathing 

• Cold hands and feet

• Chest pain

• Constant headache

• Pale skin

How does one deal with Anemia?

Dealing with anemia begins with getting an accurate diagnosis. If a person suspects that they are anemic, they would have to do a complete blood count (CBC) test to verify the body's red blood cells and hemoglobin levels. Other tests that might be prescribed to find out the type and cause of anemia a person has include: 

• Vitamin B12 and folate levels

• Bone marrow biopsy

• Serum iron test

• Terminal or genetic illness test

Once a diagnosis is ascertained, treatment becomes the focus to effectively manage the anemia one has. The prescribed treatment depends on the type and severity of the anemia a person has. Some of those treatments include: 

Medication and Procedures

If a patient has chronic disease anemia, doctors could recommend drugs that aid the production of red blood cells or that treat the illness that causes the anemia.

For severe types of anemia like aplastic anemia, procedures like a bone marrow transplant or blood transfusion might need to be carried out.  

Lifestyle Overhaul 

Persons with iron-deficiency anemia are usually advised to change their lifestyles to treat their anemia. This includes eating food rich in iron, folate, and vitamin B12. 

People with anemia benefit from taking supplements such as folic acid tablets, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and iron supplements like ferrous sulfate. 

Prioritizing rest and stress-free activities is also highly recommended to anemic people who struggle with constant fatigue. 

Ultimately, take care of yourself. 

Anemia is arguably one of the most common and often overlooked medical conditions, even though it depreciates the quality of life of those affected by it. 

Make exercise, rest, a balanced diet, and supplements the norm in your daily life. Buy a health insurance plan from Casava to enable you to see doctors about your symptoms and do check-ups for easy diagnosis of anemia. 

Finally, if you have a useful tip for anemic individuals, please share it in the comments section.